Ninth Inning Rally Nets Spartans Split vs. Luther

May 2, 2014 | J.Crane

DECORAH, IOWA - The University of Dubuque Baseball team seen its chance at a berth in the 2014 Iowa Conference Baseball Tournament end on Friday afternoon at Luther College. The Spartans 1-0 loss in game one eliminated them from contention for the sixth and final spot in the conference tournament. After a slow start in game two, UD scored five runs in the top of the ninth to earn a 6-3 victory. Spartans closer Justin Naval (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his fifth save of the year, tying the school record. The Spartans eclipsed their win total from 2013 as they moved to 13-25 overall and 8-18 in the IIAC.

The Spartans and Norse found themselves in a pitcher dual in game one of the doubleheader. UD starter Josh Eastman (Edgerton, Wis./Edgerton) struck out three and allowed one run (no earned runs) on six hits but was a hard-luck loser in the complete game effort on the mound.

The best scoring chance came in the top of the third inning. Ryan Karrick (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) coaxed a leadoff walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Casanova (Lake Tapps, Wash./Auburn Riverside), and moved to third on a groundout by Will Fogel (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South). Karrick would be stranded on third after a two-out fly ended the inning.

UD stranded a runner in each of the first six innings. Luther scored an unearned run in the second for the games only run. Austin McWhite (Orlando, Fla./Wekiva), Vince Parisi (Tinley Park, Illl./Andrew), and Eddie Pablo (Yelm, Wash./Yelm) each had a single in the game to account for the three Spartans hits in the game.

The bats were slow getting started for the Spartans in game two before scoring five runs on four hits in the top of the ninth. Casanova delivered the biggest blow in the ninth as the first five Spartans reached base in the inning. Singles by Fogel and McWhite, and Parisi was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Casanova's two-run single up the middle that tied the game at 3-3. After a walk by Michael Salazar (Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain) loaded the bases once again, pinch hitter Michael Riordan (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) hit a sac fly to right field to score the go ahead run. UD added two more runs on a double by Steve Ryan (Loveland, Colo./Mountain View).

UD scored the first run of the game in the top of the third after a two single by Karrick and RBI triple to right field by Pablo. Luther responded with a run in third, sixth, and seventh to take a 3-1 lead going into the ninth.

Starting pitcher Trent Van Egtern (La Crosse, Wis./Central) had a no decision, striking out seven over six innings of work. Mitchell Haferbier (Charlotte, Iowa/Northeast) picked up his first collegiate win with 1 2/3 scoreless inning of relief. Naval pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth save of the year.

Karrick finished with three hits from the nine spot in the lineup while McWhite had two hits.

UP NEXT: The Spartans and Norse will continue their four game series with another doubleheader on Saturday, May 3rd at 1:00 pm. Saturday will mark the end of the 2014 season for both teams.LIVE VIDEO/STATS available at: UD Baseball Online